Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance

Sensual romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance
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  • Tag: dinner

    • #AmWriting 52 Week Blog Challenge~ Coloring Outside of the Lines (What Else is New?)

      Posted at 10:18 am by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on June 16, 2017

      Ciao! This is week 24 in the #MFRWauthor 52 Week Blog Challenge Blog Hop. Welcome to another week.

      This week’s topic is: If I Could Eat One Last Meal

      Wow, this is a scary topic. I’m not sure I like it, either. For one thing, I don’t have what I’d call a “favorite meal,” so I’ll color outside of the lines a little this week.


      If I have a choice of eating my last meal, it might mean I’m on death row or on my death bed. How depressing. Am I looking at this all wrong? On the flip side, maybe it means nothing more than I’d wake up one day and decide to eat my favorite meal because I could, but I’d pretend it was my last meal, so I’d choose something I’d like to eat. Hmm.

      If I’m going to eat one last meal, I’m doing it up right. For this last meal, I picture myself in Italy. I love Italian food, so my last meal would begin with the real thing.

      First Stop:
      First stop would be a winery in Tuscany to sample a glass of Chianti Classico. At this winery, we’d share the food you see in this video. Of course, they’d gift me a bottle to accompany me on my journey. “Mmm, delizioso, I say,” licking my lips. “Grazie.” How kind, right?


      Next stop:

      I want an authentic Italian meal with an Italian family (who speaks a little English). I’m reminded of the movie Eat Pray Love or Under the Tuscan Sun. I don’t care if it’s risotto, spaghetti and meatballs, or a creamy pasta dish, and of course, bread. Or whatever the family comes up with for a full meal. As long as I have good company to help me enjoy the meal and the view with a glass of Prosecco before dinner and red or white wine with dinner, I’ll leave fat and sassy. But not before dessert.  🙂

      Better yet, since I’m in my own dream here, I’d love to have dinner with, Velia Armano, my heroine in the Bull Rider Series, and her family. In three books, I’ve written enough family meals with the Armano/ McCutchen family, that I feel like I know them, and we’d all be comfortable with one another. We’d have fun together. Her Mamma Lidia can cook for me any time, but for fun we’ll invite my hero, Caulder, and his family, too. If I’m eating my last meal, I want some eye candy sitting across from me. Dolly McCutchen will of course bring her own delicious fare to the meal. Nothing is too good for her son, the professional bull rider. I know, I know. Mix a bull rider with a classy Italian? Yep! La vita è bella!

      Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Bull Rider Series new cover, western romance

      Bull Rider Series 3

      Reality:
      Oh, that was so much fun. Now, to jump back into reality. If I could, or had to eat my last meal, I’d probably eat a roast beef dinner with carrots and potatoes all roasted together. Then we’d have apple pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert. With it would come memories of my growing up years with my grandma, parents, aunts and uncles, and brothers. I’d also have memories of Sunday dinners with my ex-husband and boys—my own family. In the end, the food would be a meal that left me with lasting memories with people I love.

      I hope I didn’t blow this topic all to hell. This is a Blog Hop. Let’s see what the other participants chose for their “last meal.”

      Thanks for reading.

      Photo credits: Pixabay

      Cover: Jimmy Thomas & Iona. Designed by DusktilDawn Designs. Background: Dreamstime.

      Posted in #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, 52-week blog challenge | 22 Comments | Tagged #AmWriting, #MFRWauthor, blog challenge, blog hop, bull rider series, Chianti, Chianti Classico wine, Coloring Outside of the Lines, dinner, family meal, Italian food, Italy, Mary J McCoy-Dressel, Tuscany
    • Alone on Valentine’s Day?

      Posted at 3:28 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on February 12, 2012

      valentines day 4

      This year when I thought about a blog for Valentine’s Day, I decided to gear it toward being alone. For whatever reason it is, I hope you find something here you can enjoy or take away with you. Maybe a special quote, or a pleasant thought.

      In the meantime, I’ll still be writing romance and putting a hero and a heroine together with some infamous plot. I still believe in the “swept off your feet” kind of love. And, I believe everyone is entitled to a fairy tale romance at least once in their life.

      Forget love – I’d rather fall in chocolate!  ~Attributed to Sandra J. Dykes

      You probably wonder why a romance writer would write about singles on such a romantic day. I’ve had my share of special Valentine’s and tons of memories. If you’re alone on this day of romance and lovers, I hope you’re at peace, too.

      Pie…it fills the cracks of the heart.  Go away, pain.  ~Kevin James, Mall Cop

       

      DINNER FOR ONE

      Do something simple. How about Pasta with an assortment of stir-fried veggies! dinner for oneToss in some chicken or shrimp and you have everything you need. If you’re watching your weight, this should fit right in your plan. Treat yourself to your favorite wine. Throw in a slice of garlic bread, after all you don’t have to worry about garlic breath when you’re alone.

      Don’t want to cook? Think of “Stouffer’s Meals for One” in the freezer section at your grocer’s. Toss up a quick salad and there you go! Men, (or ladies) you can check out Bachelor Meals at The Art of Manliness.

      Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.  ~Voltaire

      Valentine’s Day is on Sunday this year. If you want to stay home and watch a movie, toss on your jammies, or grab your Snuggie then check out TV shows you’ve missed on On Demand, Netflix , etc., or a couple of those shows you have stored on your DVR.

      TV

      For the girls (or guys), I’m sure you can find a movie channel hosting romantic comedies, my favorite. Or you can go to all the locals like NBC, etc. and watch a TV show. You don’t have to be alone tonight when you can be with your favorite actors. Or, maybe you’re a sports fan like I am–bull riding being at the top of my list.

      Guys, (or gals), you might like FX, HBO, Discovery, National Geographic, or the History Channel. I like the History Channel. Or, watch your favorite spectator sport.

      The newest Bond movie recently came out. Who can go wrong with Daniel Craig as 007? Ok, so it’s been a while. Just watch it!

      For you race fans, Nascar is only weeks away so if you’re sitting at home and a race fan, go ahead and look at the Daytona 500 website to take a look at the speed week schedule. Vroom, vroom! I used to play a free Nascar Fantasy Racing Game. It’s all kinds of fun. Remember, I said free. Check it out at Collective Racing.

      Will you be jealous if I tell you I have met many NASCAR, ARCA, and ASA drivers? I really did.

      There isn’t a single professional sports season now that doesn’t go on at least a month too long.  Baseball starts in football weather, and football in baseball weather, and basketball overlaps them both.  ~James Reston

      Put some popcorn in the air popper or microwave, but first check out the dessert recipe I included a couple paragraphs down. Yum-ilicious


      Don’t feel like watching TV? This is a good time to pull out your favorite book or eReader. Hint, hint, I write romance. Yes, men read them. Cuddle up with soothing music, and escape. Or, you can play one of my favorite apps like Angry Birds or Bejeweled. Warning: Highly addictive.

      If you want to get out of the house instead of being by yourself tonight:

      • Get a massage; hot stone massages are awesome.
      • Take a walk, but stay away from places where you’re likely to run into couples holding hands and hugging and kissing. Tonight’s not the night you’ll want to see that. Please be safe out alone. If you’re in this freezing weather zone like I am, you might want to light the fireplace instead.
      • Hit Starbucks with your laptop! Go to the bookstore; chances are couples won’t be hanging out, but other singles might. Bundle Up! While you’re there pick up a blank journal and start your first entry tonight. One day you can look back and recall all your memories.
      • If none of the other things appeal to you, take a hot bubble bath, (Yes, you guys, too. You know you love it.) and light some candles. Just relax. Afterward smother your skin in your favorite lotion or oil. All warm and cozy now? Time for dessert.

      Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart.  ~Author Unknown

      DESSERT

      This sounds so delicious. Of course, you might not want this if you’re all relaxed and dessertready for bed–because of the caffeine, or use decaf. Better yet, just have Kahula and Baileys. Mmm, nodding.

      Mochachino

      1 part Kahlua Mocha
      1 part coffee
      1 part hot chocolate

      Or try a champagne based cocktail. Trust me, my Italian heroine would drink this.  Italian Classic Bellini.

       


       

      In Addition: Interview with the Legendary C.J. Hollenbach

      As some of you know, in the past I had interviewed CJ Hollenbach, romance cover model and Fantasy Hunk. His interview still gets hits on my blog, so if you want to read it for yourself, you can click HERE. Trust me, he’s a real down to earth person.

      MOST IMPORTANTLY, since today is a day of love, why not love your own person and body. No one knows you as well as you do, so look deep inside and show yourself some love.  image Be healthy and take care of you.

      He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away.  ~Raymond Hull

       

      Enjoy your Valentine’s Day no matter what you do.

      Love,

       

      This blog post has been modified more than once from an earlier version.


       

      I would love to hear what you’ll do on this day made for lovers. Me, I might make a special pasta dish with veggies. I’ll probably be writing with music in the background. Or, I will be watching Netflix, but I believe my evening will be like any other evening. You know, leading a hunky cowboy and feisty heroine to the end of their story.

      #AmWriting #Romance #ValentinesDay #Weekend

      Posted in #AmWriting | 10 Comments | Tagged #AuthorLife, #WritersLife, bull rider, C J Hollenbach, cowboys, dessert, dinner, Full length romance novel, Howdy Ma'am bk #1, love always wins, mary j mccoy dressel, massage, movie, NASCAR, romantic read, swag, valentine's day
    • Good Friendships Never Fade (Stream of Consciousness Sunday)

      Posted at 3:58 pm by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel, on September 4, 2011

      One day this week I went to the movies with one of my long time friends, whom I haven’t seen in quite some time. It’s kind of strange how you can remain friends, even without constant communication. The last time I saw her was a year ago, but before that it was probably three or four years. Since I was the one to move away, I wanted to make sure to keep in touch, although this friend and I didn’t remain in contact unless I was in town, and I’d call her so we could get together. I called her when I arrived in town for a visit last week.

      We met for dinner one night a few days before the movies, and found out we both wanted to see The Help, so that’s what we went to see. When we used to work together we got along very well and became friends immediately. Maybe we won’t see each other again for quite some time, but I know our friendship will remain strong.  Do you have friends like this where you can make a phone call and pick up where you left off?  I cherish my long time friendships.

      This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

      • Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
      • Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
      • Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
      • Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
      • Link up your post below.
      • Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

      Now…

      1. Grab the button

      (it’s over in the sidebar)

      2. Write your post.

      3. Link up here. 

      http://allthingsfadra.com/

      Posted in #AmWriting | 2 Comments | Tagged all things fadra #socSunday, dinner, friendship, movies, the help, travel, visit
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